Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 1, 1-17

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

God makes history

1. Genealogy. Today we see a shift in the Gospel readings and what has been proclaimed since the beginning of Advent. Today we pause and turn the page. We have been reflecting on the second coming of Jesus, but today we read about how it all begins. God wants to show us the roots of faith, since Abraham is the father of faith. God wants to remind us that there is history behind us. So, go back to your roots; you’re walking along a path that has been walked by many before. Their stories have led to great things for your life. You are a part of a continuing history. And remember that faith is transmitted in closeness and simplicity. 

2. Names. If you analyze the names mentioned in Jesus’s genealogy, you’ll see that there’s no one who would win a Nobel Prize. There are some people that are really complicated, to say the least. Some of those that are on the list are very striking considering their life of sins and mistakes. This is to remind you of God’s power. God is able to draw out beautiful things even from those public sinners, because God can change the heart of the most arrogant or vain person in the world. This is to show the wonderful power of God. So, beyond what people might say about you, remember you can achieve many things with faith in God. Don’t let those who label you tear down your life.

3. A time of preparation. Advent is a time that invites us to return to our inner selves and to prepare our heart for the coming of Jesus. God is working in you and in your heart. I encourage you to keep striving even if you don’t understand God’s work in your life right now, you will understand later. 

Always remember that something good is on the way!